About Floor360 & the IMCP Program

The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) program is one of the US Department of Commerce’s main initiatives to support job creation and accelerate manufacturing growth to make communities more globally competitive by transforming their industrial ecosystems into globally-competitive manufacturing hubs. IMCP does this through the support of long-term community-based economic development strategies designed to attract and expand private investment in manufacturing and promote international trade and exports.
The Northwest Georgia region was selected for one of 26 first-round Commerce awards made across the country in 2013. The award enabled the development of an Advanced Manufacturing Strategy initially focused on the region’s established Floor Covering industry.
In May 2014, the US Department of Commerce further designated the Northwest Georgia region as one of 12 Manufacturing Communities through the IMCP program. This two-year designation gives organizations that support the industry via the Northwest Georgia’s Advanced Manufacturing Strategy elevated status for certain federally-aligned grant programs.

Using the Designation

Organizations in the 15-county Northwest Georgia region, the areas outlined in the original application, are eligible to apply to use the designation. Only one organization per grant, per period may use the designation. As the lead agency, the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission facilitates selection of these organizations to use the designation via the Northwest Georgia IMCP Consortium.

To apply, please fill out and submit the following form at least three weeks before your grant deadline.

Upcoming Grants & Deadlines

Search Grants.gov for your federal grants by keywords or more specific criteria. All discretionary grants offered by the 26 federal grant-making agencies can be found on Grants.gov.
The NWGRC needs to receive your form by the Deadline for Consideration date listed in the table in order to be considered for the designation. If approved, applicants will receive a "Letter of IMCP Endorsement" or "Letter of IMCP Support" from the Consortium to include in their grant application.
The IMCP Manufacturing Community designation is a new program through EDA; guidance is still being released. Updates regarding the process will be posted here when available.

Celebrate Manufacturing Day, October 7, 2016!

What’s happening at Floor360?

From the Commerce Department: The Communities that Work Partnership based in the Northwest Georgia region, led by the Northwest Georgia Regional Workforce Partnership, will focus on the floor covering manufacturing cluster. It will engage the industry to explore changes in curricula, share training assets, promote industry-based career paths, and build a sustainable partnership to provide […]

From Catalyst Connection: Communities, Companies & Institutions Call for Renewed National Investment in Manufacturing Local governments, manufacturers, and non-profit institutions across the nation seek to partner with the incoming Executive Branch and 115th Congress to build a robust American manufacturing agenda to drive economic growth and family-wage jobs. The “USA Manufacturing Coalition” which includes the […]

From Smart Growth America: Small-scale manufacturers like woodworkers, steel fabricators, hardware prototypers, microbrewers, and coffee roasters with regional distribution have emerged as a significant force in today’s urban economy. For cities suffering the loss of skilled-labor employers, this emerging sector can create jobs and connect residents to economic opportunity while also serving as a powerful […]